Method of topping onions



July 30, 1968 F. A. TEIGEN METHOD OF TOPPING ONIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 11, 1966 ATTORNEYJ' July 30, 1968 A, TElGEN 3,394,746

METHOD OF TOPPING ONIONS Filed May 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Maud UnitedStates Patent 3,394,746 METHOD OF TOPPING ONIONS Ferdinand AustinTeigen, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Dorothy Russell Teigen,Minneapolis, Minn. Filed May 11, 1966, Ser. No. 549,256 Claims. (Cl.146-223) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and machine for toppingonions having a first conveyor providing a floor for receiving andmoving onions into an erection chamber formed by a tunnel-likeenclosure. A second conveyor having spaced transverse rod membersproviding a ceiling moves adjacent the top of the tunnel-like enclosureunder an opening into an amputation chamber. The rods of the secondconveyor are spaced apart to allow only tops of the onions and a streamof air to pass through the second conveyor but prohibit the onion bulbsfrom passing through the second conveyor to the amputation chamberwhereby the second conveyor is a barricade for positioning and orientingthe erected onions. Located within the amputation chamber are rotaryshears operative to amputate the onion tops which project through thespaces between the rods of the second conveyor. A suction fan draws airthrough the enclosure whereby air flows upwardly through the erectionchamber to erect the onions, carry the erected onions upwardl intoengagement with the second conveyor with the top projected into theamputation chamber, and hold the onions in orientated positions on thesecond conveyor in preparation for series amputation by the shear.

Sunmmary of invention The present invention pertains in general to thepreparation of onions for marketing and specifically to a method fortopping onions.

Onions are living entities subject to infections, resultantdeterioration and destruction by pathogenic microorganisms. Lesions andwounds usually form ports of entry into succulent onion tissues forspores and bacteria which are principally causative of infection andresultant damage of onions. It is a condition prerequisite to avoidanceof infection and resultant deterioration that onions be handled andtopped in a manner which minimizes wounds.

It is essential that onions be topped preparatory to marketing orstorage. Topping of onions consists primarily of removing the topsattached to the onion bulbs. This is a surgical operation because thetissues are completely and permanently separated by amputation. Themethod of topping onions most generally used is the hand labor methodwhich consists of men and women toppers holding the bulbs in one handand cutting oil the attached tops with scissors held in the other hand.Mechanical means for topping onions are largely limited to pinching thetops off the bulbs between pairs of rollers, or to blowing the topsupwardly from a screen and moving the onions into the operative path ofa functioning sickle bar in an effort to cut off the tops. This cuttingis not a shearing cut with the result that the remaining stem ends onthe bulbs, if any have shattered wounds and wide openings readilysusceptible to ingress of pathogenic microorganisms. These mechanicalmeans for topping onions are not designed to control the length of theattached tops or stems which remain on the bulbs. The wound on the stemends of onions created by amputation of the tops is unavoidable butresultant infection may be inhibited by: (l) amputating the attachedtops at a point substantially one inch and preferably one and one halfinches but not more than 3,394,746 Patented July 30, 1968 ice threeinches outwardly from the necks of the bulbs to inhibit resultantinfection by depriving spores and bacteria of direct entry to succulenttissue of the neck and onion bulb; (2) severing the attached tops by ashearing force to cause protoplasmic fluids to form a seal barnicadingingress of pathogenic microorganisms into wound caused by severance; and(3) gentle handling of bulbs during the topping operation to reduceshock, concussion, bruise, and injury which predisposes the bulb toresultant infection or deterioration.

The present invention provides a method of topping onions wherebyresultant injury of and damage to residual bulbs are reduced only tolesions of amputation, hand labor is eliminated, costs are reduced to aminimum, and clean onions are available for marketing. The infection ofthe bulb is inhibited by providing that the length of the attached topsor stems of the bulbs after topping have a length within a range of oneto three inches. The lesions are substantially sealed by compressing theattached tops into severance with shearing forces to cause the wound ofamputation to be closed to the entry of pathogenic microorganisms.

Briefly described, the inventon comprises a method of amputating thetops from onion bulbs in a fast and effioient manner with a minimum ofinjury to the bulbs. This method includes the steps of receiving onionshaving bulbs and attached tops to the inlet end of an erection chamberthrough which air is moving by suction. The onions in the erectionchamber are erected or turned upright by moving air upwardly through theerection chamber. The moving air carries the erected onions intoengagement with a barrier comprising a movable ceiling of a tunnel-likepassageway. The ceiling has apertures through which the onion topsproject. The bulbs are barricaded against the ceiling thereby fixing ororienting the position of the bulbs relative to the cutting mechanism.The tops being subjected to moving air are held outwardly of theerection chamber and are carried by the movable ceiling into a cuttingmechanism operable to sever, by a shearing operation, the tops from thebulbs. The moving air draws the tops into the cutting mechanism with theceiling holding the bulbs away from the cutting mechanism whereby thetops are amputated by shearing force at points one to three inches fromthe necks of the onions. The severed tops are carried by the moving airto a disposal location and the bulbs are discharged to a separatereceiving area.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic longitudinal view partly in section of an oniontopping machine for performing the method of topping onions of thisinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 1 showingthe cutting mechanism of the onion topping machine.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings there is shown a machine indicatedgenerally at 10 for topping onions. Machine 10 is operable to cut thetops from the bulbs in a fast and effective manner with a minimum ofinjury to the outer protective skins of the onion bulb. The onionsindicated generally at 12 may be new onions discharged from an oniondigging machine or onions which have been in storage. Onions 12 havebulbs 13 and elongated tops 14 which must be amputated from the bulbsbefore the onions are in marketable condition.

A delivery conveyor 11 is used to transport onions to the receiving endof machine 10. Conveyor 11 is operable to deliver onions from an oniondigging unit or carry onions from a storage bin. Machine 10 receives acontinuous supply of onions from conveyor 11 and automatically andcontinuously amputates the tops 14 from the bulbs 13. After the tops aresevered from the bulbs, the bulbs are discharged onto a receivingconveyor 16 used to transport the onion bulbs to a storage or bagginglocation.

Machine has a bottom conveyor indicated generally at 17 used to receivethe onions, to move the onions in an elongated path and to discharge theonion bulbs onto receiving conveyor 16. Conveyor 17 is trained abouttransverse sprockets 18 and 19 with sprocket 19 being driven by a motor21. Conveyor 17 comprises a plurality of side-by-side transverse tubularrollers 22. Adjacent rollers 22 are spaced from each other a distance toprevent onions from falling through the top run of the conveyor. Forexample, each roller 22 may be a tubular member having an outsidediameter of 1% inches and the space between adjacent rollers being 1%inches.

As shown in FIGURE 2, each roller 22 has axial projections 23 and 24 atthe opposite ends carrying rollers 26. Links 27 connect the oppositeends of adjacent rollers to form an endless conveyor. Retaining means28, as cotter pins or split rings, on the outer ends of projections 23and 24 hold the rollers 26 and links 27 in assembled relation withprojections 23 and 24.

Located between conveyor sprockets 18 and 19 and below the upper run ofconveyor 17 is a support indicated generally at 29. Support 29 is abox-like structure having a pair of laterally spaced horizontal toprails 31 and 32 defining a generally rectangular shaped opening 33.Rails 31 and 32 provide tracks for the end rollers 26 mounted on each oftubular rollers 22 whereby on operation of conveyor 17 the tubularrollers 22 move across opening 33. Positioned below opening 33 is abottom wall 34 supported on a frame 36. Support 29 has open oppositesides 37 and 38 and closed ends 39 and 41 to allow free movement of airupwardly through opening 33 and the top run of conveyor 17.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a top conveyor indicated generally at 42 locatedabove bottom conveyor 17 extends about a housing indicated generally at43. Top conveyor 42 has a plurality of side-by-side transverse members44, as tubular rollers, which are connected to each other by links 46.Rollers 44 and links 46 are identical in construction with rollers 22and links 27 of bottom conveyor 17. The top portion of conveyor 42 istrained about drive sprockets 47 drivably connected to a motor 48. Onoperation of motor 48, conveyor 42 is moved around housing 43 in thedirection of arrow 49.

Housing 43 has a upwardly and rearwardly extended top wall 51 joined toa downwardly curved back wall 52. The bottom of housing 43 has arectangular opening 53. Housing 43 is completed with spaced upright sidewalls 54 and 56 secured to the sides of the top and back walls anddefines an amputation compartment or chamber 60. Extended along thesides of opening 53 are downwardly and rearwardly inclined rails 57 and58 which guide the lower run of conveyor 42 in a downward directiontoward the rear of the machine. The lower run of conveyor 42 coversopening 53 and comprises the movable floor of amputation chamber 60. Theinclination of the lower run of the top conveyor makes the facing runsof the top and bottom conveyors converge toward each other in thedirection of movement of the respective runs of the conveyors. Thevertical distance between the forward facing portions of conveyors 17and 24 may range between and 24 inches while the rear adjacent portionsof the conveyors may be as close as 3 to 5 inches.

The top portion of side wall 54 has a discharge opening leading to adischarge pipe 59 used to direct cut tops and other material from themachine. A suction means indicated generally at 61 operable to withdrawair from housing 43 is located in discharge pipe 59. Suction means 61 isillustrated as a motor 62 driving a fan 63. It is to be understood thatany suitable structure for withdrawing air from housing 43 may beemployed. Suction means 61 has the capacity to move air through erectionchamber 72 at a velocity up to 600 feet per second.

An enclosure indicated generally at 64 defines an erection compartmentor chamber 72 in the space between bottom conveyor 17 and top conveyor42. Erection chamber 72 is a longitudinal passageway or tunnel-likeenclosure having a movable floor comprising the upper run of bottomconveyor 17 and a movable ceiling comprising the inclined lower run oftop conveyor 42. Conveyors 17 and 42 are driven at substantially thesame rate of speed whereby the floor and ceiling move together towardthe discharge end of the machine. As shown in FIGURE 2, enclosure 64 hasupright side walls 66 and 67 attached to support 29 and housing sidewalls 54 and 56. The forward edges of side walls 66 and 67 are securedto an upright transverse front wall 68. The lower edge of front wall 68located above conveyor 17 provides an entrance opening into erectionchamber 72. The entrance opening is partially closed with a flexibleshield 69 secured to and projected downwardly from front wall 68 tomaintain the size of the inlet opening at a minimum thereby reducing theamount of air flowing through the inlet opening. The top of front wall68 has an upwardly and rearwardly inclined extension 71 located over topconveyor 42 forming with the top wall 51 a guide channel for the forwardportion of conveyor 42.

As onions 12 move in an elongated path longitudinally through erectionchamber 72, a cutting mechanism indicated generally at 73 located withinhousing 43 amputates the onion tops 14 from the onion bulbs 13. Cuttingmechanism 73 has a stationary transversely extended blade 74 secured tothe bottom portion of back wall 52. Blade 74 has a forward transverseknife edge 76 forming the rear end of opening 53. Rotatably mountedabove blade 74 is a rotor or cutter indicated generally at 77 whichcooperates with knife edge 76 to sever the tops from the bulbs.

As shown in FIGURE 3, rotor 77 comprises a pair of axially spacedupright end discs 78 and 79 having axially outwardly projected stubshafts 81 and 82. The bearings 83 and 84 secured to housing side walls66 and 67 receive stub shafts 81 and 82 to rotatably mount the rotor onhousing 43, Extended transversely between discs 78 and 79 are a pair ofdiametrically opposed blades 86 and 87. Opposite ends of the blades aresecured to discs 78 and 79 respectively. Blades 86 and 87 are located ingenerally radial planes with their outer transverse edges in align mentwith the peripheral surfaces of the discs 78 and 79. As shown in FIGURE1, the axis of rotation of rotor 77 is substantially parallel to and inthe upright plane of the transverse knife edge 76. Knife edge 76 islocated closely adjacent the outer edges of the blades as they move pastthe edge as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. As the blades 86 and 87 move pastknife edge 76 onion tops 14 are compressed into severance with shearingforces causing wounds of amputation to be sealed against entry ofpathogenic microorganisms and other foreign elements.

To provide for increase flow of air through the rotor 77, the upperforward quarter of the rotor is covered by an arcuate cap 88 extendedbetween and secured to side walls 54 and 56. Inner surface of cap 88 islocated closely adjacent the outer periphery of the discs 78 and 79 sothat the forwardly moving blade, a shown in FIGURE 1, has minimuminterference with air flowing through housing 43.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, rotor 77 is driven in the direction ofarrow 89 by a motor 91 connected to shaft 81 by power transmitting means92, as sprockets and an endless roller chain.

The flow of air moving through housing 43 above cap 88 is controlled bya plurality of transversely extended louvres 93 connected to anangularly movable control handle 94. Louvres 93 function as damperswhich may be opened and closed to vary the flow of air through the rotor77 as required to direct the onions and draw the tops of the onionsthrough the spaces between adjacent rollers 44 of top conveyor 42.

Motors 21, 48, 62 and 91 may be separate electric motors, separate fluidmotors operable by fluid under pressure by a common source or they maybe replaced with suitable mechanical drive means operable by an internalcombustion engine.

In use, onions are delivered by conveyor 11 to the forward end of thebottom conveyor 17 continuously and in random arrangement. Operation ofconveyor 17 by motor 21 moves the onions in an elongated path underflexible shield 69 into erection chamber 72. The onions continuouslyenter the erection chamber 72 and are carried upwardly by moving airunder sub-atmospheric pressure. As shown by the arrows in FIGURE 2, airpulled by suction means 61 moves through side openings 37 and 38 insupport 29 up through opening 33 and top run of conveyor 17 and intoerection chamber 72. As the air flows through erection chamber '72 theonions 12 are turned upright by the moving air with the tops projectedin an upward direction. The forward portion of the erection chamber hassuflicient height to permit the onion tops to extend in an upwarddirection. The air moves from erection chamber 72 through the bottom runof top conveyor 42 and the opening 53 in the housing 43 upwardly throughthe housing 43 and out through the discharge pipe 59. As the air movesthrough the bottom run of top conveyor 42, the onions follow the movingair upwardly until the onion bulbs engage adjacent rollers 44. The bulbslodge between adjacent rollers and are held in engagement with therollers by the moving air. Rollers 44 prevent the bulbs from movingupwardly in housing 43. As the bulbs fill the openings between adjacentrollers they restrict the amount of air flowing through the bottom runof conveyor 42 thereby increasing the velocity of the air flowingthrough the convyeor 42 with the result that the onions are firmly heldin engagement with the rollers 44 extended over the opening 53 ofhousing 43. Motor 48 drives conveyor 42 moving the onions downwardly andrearwardly towards knife edge 76. When the onions reach knife edge 76rotating blades 86 and 87 amputate the onion tops 14 from the bulbs 13.The severed tops are moved upwardly by the moving blades 86 and 87 andflow with the air stream through the discharge pipe 59.

The bulbs 13 move under the knife blade 74 and drop from conveyor 42since the air is no longer moving through the section of the conveyorrearwardly of blade 74 and the back surface of knife blade 74 forces thebulb away from the conveyor rollers 46. The bulbs are discharged to thereceiving conveyor 16 and carried thereby to a storage location.

In terms of a method of topping onions having bulbs and tops, the onionsare initially delivered to the forward end of an elongated path onoperation of conveyor 11. As the onions are received in the elongatedpath they are moved along the elongated path initially by the bottomconveyor 17 into erecting chamber 72. When the onions are in erectingchamber 72 they are erected or turned to an upright position and raisedby air flowing under sub-atmospheric pressure upwardly through saidelongated path. The erected onions are carried upwardly with the movingair into engagement with the ceiling of the erection chamber formed bythe bottom run of top conveyor 42. The rollers 44 of conveyor 42 hold orbarricade the onion bulbs in the chamber with the onion tops projectedupwardly between adjacent rollers into amputation chamber 60. As theonions are held on the ceiling of the erection chamber they are moved byconveyor 42 toward cutting mechanism 73. The tops of the onions areseries amputated from the bulbs by operation of the cutting mechanism 73located in the air stream flowing under sub-atmospheric pressure throughhousing 43. The cutting mechanism operates with shearing force to severthe tops from the bulbs. The shearing forces also compress the lesion onthe onion stem whereby onion Cit fluids seal the lesions. The free topsare discharged into the air flowing through housing 43 and carried to adisposal location. After the tops have been amputated from the bulbs,the. bulbs are discharged from the elongated path onto a bulb receivingarea.

The above description is the preferred method for topping onions. It isunderstood that various changes may be made in the form, details, andarrangements of the method without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive properly orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of topping onions comprising: receiving onions delivered fortopping to an onion processing apparatus on a perforated operativemoving floor of an erection compartment of said apparatus, said erectioncompartment having a perforated operative ceiling moved in unison withsaid floor in the same direction and at the same speed, said onionprocessing apparatus having a second and separate amputation compartmentfitted with shears operative to sever the tops of onions, saidamputation compartment positioned over and above said erectioncompartment;

erecting the attached tops of the bulbs of onions delivered for toppingto said onion topping apparatus upon the arrival of said bulbs insidesaid erection compartment, then projecting said tops upward through theperforations of the moving ceiling of said erection compartment intosaid amputation compartment preliminary to the orientation of said topsrelative to said shears by generating and flowing a stream of air ofample capacity to erect and project said tops as aforesaid upwardthrough the floor and ceiling of said erection compartment, upwardthrough said bulbs, said tops, said shears and said amputationcompartment;

orienting said tops subsequent to and during aforesaid erection andprojection of said tops in relation to said shears in a mannerinhibitive to resultant damage to said bulbs by barricading said bulbswithin said erection compartment by said moving ceiling, transportingsaid barricaded bulbs across the path of said stream of air,conjunctively and simultaneously transporting said erected and projectedtops of said barricaded bulbs across the path of said stream of air, andalso conjunctively and simultaneously transporting only that portion ofsaid tops which are in said amputation compartment into engagement withsaid shears;

positioning said tops for severance in series by conjunctivelytransporting and sucking said tops in between opposite jaws of theshears;

severing said tops in series by shearing stress operative under partialvacuum; and

discharging the residual bulbs from said erection compartment after thesevering of said tops.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the barricading within said erectioncompartment of the bulbs of onions received on the floor of saiderection compartment when the attached tops of said onion bulbs areerected and projected is achieved by concurrently filtering andretaining said bulbs from said stream of air.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said bulbs are barricaded by saidceiling in positions to preclude amputation or the tops by said shearsof about the first one to three inches of said tops upward from thenecks of said bulbs.

4. A method of topping onions inhibitive to resultant damage to theresidual bulbs comprising:

receiving onions delivered for topping on a perforated operative movingfloor of an onion topping machine having an enclosure over said floor,said enclosure having a perforated operative moving ceiling; directingthe attached tops of the bulbs of onions received on said floor andprojecting said tops to the outside of said enclosure throughperforations in said ceiling preparatory to the orientation of said toprelative to shears positioned outside and above said enclosure bydrawing a stream of air having ample capacity to erect and project saidtops upward through said floor, said bulbs, and said ceiling;

orientating said tops concurrently with aforesaid directing andprojecting in relation to said shears by barricading said bulbs by saidceiling when in said enclosure with the tops projected through saidceiltransporting 's'aid bulbs when barricaded inside said enclosure andattached tops of said bulbs when erected and projected through andto'the outside of said ceiling across the path of said stream of air andconjunctively transporting into engagement with said shears only thatportion of the tops which extends through said ceiling;

amputating the attached tops of the onions by severing the tops from thebulbs with said shears; and discharging said bulbs from said enclosureafter amputation of said tops.

5. The method of topping onions defined in claim 4 wherein said ceilingmoves in unison with, in the same direction as and at the same speed assaid floor.

6. The method of topping onions defined in claim 4 wherein said bulbsand tops are transported simultaneously, in unison, in the samedirection, at the same speed across the path of the stream of air.

7. The method of topping onions defined in claim 4 wherein said tops areamputated upward from a point of about one to three inches above thenecks of said bulbs when erected.

8. The method of topping onions defined in claim 4 including the suckingof the tops upwardly between opposite jaws of the shears.

9. The method of topping onions defined in claim 4 wherein the tops areamputated by shearing forces.

10. The method of topping onions defined in claim 4 wherein theamputated tops are carried by moving air to a discharge location.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 926,286 6/1909 Petrie 146-831,299,233 4/1919 Royer 146-83 2,553,519 5/1951 Lenz 14683 X 2,750,9776/1956 Vella et al. 14683 3,163,234 12/1964 Boyer 17l17 3,285,30611/1966 Wetzel 146-83 W. GRAYDON ABERCROMBIE, Primary Examiner.

